Door latch control apparatus with independent actuators

Abstract

A door latch control apparatus for use on a panic exit door allowing the door to be unlatched either manually or electrically is disclosed. Manual latch retraction is accomplished by pushing inwardly a push bar. Electrical latch retraction is accomplished by energizing a solenoid. A unique linkage system is provided to allow for the independent operation of the manual and electrical latch retraction. The apparatus also provides for the door to be dogged, i.e., securing the latch in the unlatched position, either manually or electrically. Manual dogging may be accomplished with the use of a fail safe dogging mechanism. Electrical dogging is accomplished by leaving the solenoid energized and thus the latch retracted.

I claim: 
     
       1. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a first latch actuator comprising a solenoid having an armature and movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a second latch actuator movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a linkage system for operatively connecting the first latch actuator to the latch and the second latch actuator to the latch so that movement of the first latch actuator from the first position to the second position will move the latch to the unlatched position independent of movement by the second latch actuator, and movement of the second latch actuator from the first position to the second position will move the latch to the unlatched position independent of movement by the first latch actuator;   wherein the linkage system comprises a drive link engaging the first latch actuator and movable between a first position and a second position, a pivot lever movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and engaging the second latch actuator and the latch, the pivot lever having a midspur pin positioned to engage the drive link and transfer movement of the drive link to the pivot lever and move the pivot lever from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch.   
     
     
       2. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a first latch actuator movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a second latch actuator movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a linkage system for operatively connecting the first latch actuator to the latch and the second latch actuator to the latch so that movement of the first latch actuator from the first position to the second position will move the latch to the unlatched position independent of movement by the second latch actuator, and movement of the second latch actuator from the first position to the second position will move the latch to the unlatched position independent of movement by the first latch actuator;   wherein the linkage system comprises a first latch actuator lever engaging the first latch actuator and movable between a first position and a second position, a push lever engaging the second latch actuator and a latch drive link, the push lever being movable between a first position and a second position, the latch drive link engaging the latch and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the push lever having a toe positioned to engage the latch drive link and move the latch drive link from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch, the latch drive link having a finger positioned to engage the first latch actuator and transfer movement of the first latch actuator to the latch drive link so as to move the latch drive link from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first latch actuator comprises a solenoid having an armature. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a manual dogging safety mechanism comprising a dogging axle mounted to the second latch actuator and movable between a dogged position and an undogged position to maintain the second latch actuator in the second position and maintain the latch in the unlatched position, and further wherein the solenoid armature is maintainable in the second position to maintain the latch in the unlatched position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the apparatus further comprises a manual dogging safety mechanism comprising a dogging axle mounted to the second latch actuator and movable between a dogged position and an undogged position to maintain the second latch actuator in the second position and maintain the latch in the unlatched position, and further wherein the solenoid armature is maintainable in the second position to maintain the latch in the unlatched position. 
     
     
       6. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a solenoid having an armature movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a solenoid rod connected to the solenoid armature and movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a second latch actuator movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a linkage system connecting the solenoid rod and the second latch actuator to the latch, the linkage system comprising a drive link engaging the solenoid rod and movable between a first position and a second position, a pivot lever engaging the second latch actuator and the latch and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the pivot lever having a midspur pin positioned to engage the drive link and transfer movement of the drive link to the pivot lever and move the pivot lever from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing and the second latch actuator comprises a push bar connected to the housing. 
     
     
       8. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   a solenoid having an armature movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a solenoid rod connected to the solenoid armature and movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a second latch actuator movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   a linkage system connecting the solenoid rod and the second latch actuator to the latch, the linkage system comprising a solenoid lever engaging the solenoid rod and movable between a first position and a second position, a push lever engaging the second latch actuator and a latch drive link and movable between a first position and a second position, the latch drive link engaging the latch and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the push lever having a toe positioned to engage the latch drive link and move the latch drive link from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch, the latch drive link having a finger positioned to engage the solenoid rod and transfer movement of the solenoid rod to the latch drive link so as to move the latch drive link from the latched position to the unlatched position and unlatch the latch.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing and the second latch actuator comprises a push bar connected to the housing. 
     
     
       10. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latching system movable from a latched position to an unlatched position;   first latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein a latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   second latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   means for operatively linking the first actuating means to the latching system and the second actuating means to the latching system so that movement of the first actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the second actuating means and movement of the second actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the first actuating means; and   means for securing the latching system in the unlatched position comprising a solenoid having an armature movable from a first position in which the latching system is in the latched position to a second position in which the latching system is in the unlatched position, the solenoid armature further being maintainable in the second position.   
     
     
       11. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latching system movable from a latched position to an unlatched position;   first latch actuating means comprising a solenoid and movable from a first position wherein a latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   second latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   means for operatively linking the first actuating means to the latching system and the second actuating means to the latching system so that movement of the first actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the second actuating means and movement of the second actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the first actuating means, comprising a drive link engaging the first actuating means and movable between a first position and a second position, a pivot lever movable between a first position and a second position and engaging the second actuating means and the latching system, the pivot lever further engaging the drive link so that movement of the drive link moves the pivot lever from the first position to the second position thereby moving the latching system to the unlatched position; and   means for securing the latching system in the unlatched position.   
     
     
       12. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latching system movable from a latched position to an unlatched position;   first latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein a latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   second latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   means for operatively linking the first actuating means to the latching system and the second actuating means to the latching system so that movement of the first actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the second actuating means and movement of the second actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the first actuating means, comprising a first latch actuator lever engaging the first actuating means and movable between a first position and a second position, a push lever engaging the second actuating means and a latch drive link and movable between a first position and a second position, the latch drive link engaging the latching system and movable between a first position and a second position, the push lever having a toe positioned to engage the latch drive link and move the latch drive link from the first position to the second position and thereby move the latching system to the unlatched position, the latch drive link having a finger positioned to engage the first actuating means and transfer movement of the first actuating means to the latch drive link so as to move the latch drive link from the first position to the second position and move the latching system to the unlatched position; and   means for securing the latching system in the unlatched position.   
     
     
       13. A latch control apparatus for a door comprising: a latching system movable from a latched position to an unlatched position;   first latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein a latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   second latch actuating means movable from a first position wherein the latch is latched to a second position wherein the latch is unlatched;   means for operatively linking the first actuating means to the latching system and the second actuating means to the latching system so that movement of the first actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the second actuating means and movement of the second actuating means from the first position to the second position will move the latching system to the unlatched position without moving the first actuating means; and   means for securing the latching system in the unlatched position comprising (1) a solenoid having an armature movable from a first position in which the latching system is in the latched position to a second position in which the latching system is in the unlatched position, the solenoid armature further being maintainable in the second position, and (2) a dogging safety mechanism comprising a dogging axle mounted to the second latch actuating means and rotatable between a dogged and undogged position, a dogging member extending from the axis of the axle, a dogging safety clip having a first position wherein the clip engages with the dogging member to prevent and axle from rotating to the dogged position and a second position wherein the clip does not prevent the axle from moving to its dogged position, and means for moving the clip from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the second latch actuating means from the first position to the second position.